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UPDATED 6/12/2017—It has been confirmed that Tell Tale Friend’s injuries were fatal, so he has been placed on the Memorial.

Tell Tale Friend, an 8-year-old stakes-placed veteran, began his career six years ago as a 2-year-old; started 51 times (11 firsts, 13 seconds, 6 thirds); and earned $341,483. He had been winning claiming races lately. In the past he had raced primarily in allowance company, until fall 2015 when he dropped into the claiming ranks.

Then, suddenly, on May 9, 2016, he was put into an allowance optional claiming race at PARX for a $25,000 tag. But he broke down in the stretch, pulled up, and was vanned off ... with no mention of the outcome.

While we have been unable to confirm so far that the injury to his left hind leg was fatal, we can surmise from the video of the race that he may not be found on the Equibase charts again. He may slip away, as so many do, as silently as he first appeared. Yet he will remain a tell-tale memory of a horse who once lived to the best of his ability and is now, we feel, liberated.